Maou no Hajimekata

Translator: DarkHeartedAlchemist, Editor: Krizzeir

Melizand thought that it was a once-in-a-lifetime chance.

Every day, she listened closely to the girls who spend their day with Aur.

That defenseless declaration of his, had enough power in it to reawaken Melizands former ambitions.

She was not dissatisfied with her current life by any means. She knew that it was a fragile and foolish hope. And that should her plan fail, shes going to lose everything.

But she could not bring herself to throw it away just like that.

She had to remain very cautious not to get caught by the cunning Demon Lord. It was too late for second guessing and backing down. So she carefully gathered all the necessary information

Until her time to spend the day alone with Aur came at last.

[You want to hear the stories about the New Continent?] [Of course Ive read the reports carefully, but I cant help to think that there is something missing in them. At the end of the day, I guess nothing works better than hearing the story straight from someone who was always in the center of events.] [Is that really so?]

When he heard what Melizands wish was, Aur had a confused expression on his face.

[Do you really want to spend your wish on something like that? Well, I personally dont mind it since its just talking, but are you really fine with it?] [I know it sounds unreasonable and selfish, but this truly is what I want.]

She was perfectly aware that his reluctance to talk with her about what happened on the New Continent was a kind of a countermeasure against information leakage. In his eyes, the less people knew, the better. But he promised to do anything, so he didnt really had much of a choice.

[If you so strongly insist then I guess I have no choice. But what should I really talk about?] [If its alright with you, I would like to hear more about this Sofia girl.] [Oh, now shes just a mysterious existence.]

Putting the teacup next to his lips and swallowing its contents, Aur nodded, deep in thought.

[I do not really understand why, but she seems to recognize me as her parent.] [I heard she calls you papa, how cute.]

In response to Melizands laughter, Aur made a tight face.

[I realize that such a term matches me poorly, dont you worry.] [Are you kidding me? It totally suits you, papa.] [You think this is funny?] [Very much so, yes.]

So far they had a nice friendly banter. But it was just an act, a cunning deceit to hide her real aim.

[Speaking of daughters, did you took proper care of the Figlia princesses when you returned?]

Figlia was the kingdom that Aur first took control of, and the princesses of that kingdom both bore his children. They have nothing to do with the operation of the Dungeon, so it really wouldnt be much of a problem if Aur chose to get rid of all of them. But since their daughters, unlike Sofia, had his blood coursing through their veins, it was highly unlikely to happen.

He probably wont be able to do it, both from personal and moral reasons.

[Well, I cant say that I took care of each and every one of them yet, but I assure you, theyre going to each get their turn.] [I see. You know, despite your initial disposition, you really are a good father.]

Aur said nothing in response to her teasing, but he was not angry either.

[Is something wrong?] [No, nothing, but I appreciate your concern.]

He shook his head with a difficult expression.

[I cant remember my parents, so I have no idea how exactly I should be interacting with my children, or what should I do to be this good father to them.]

Melizand thought that his concerns were misplaced. When he returned from his trip to the New Continent the other day, his daughters greeted him happily, and they seemed to be longing to see him.

[In that case]

What escaped Melizands lips were not exactly the words of comfort.

[Do you want to practice?]

She spoke such words.

Why did she say such a thing?!

She was held in Aurs arms and on his knees, and he clumsily rubbed her head with his shaky fingers.

How did this happen? She asked herself that question time and time again.

[Hey.]

Melizand shivered when she suddenly heard his voice, as she was deeply immersed in her own thoughts.

[Is this good enough?]

This whole situation was a result of their half-joking conversation in which she proposed such a thing, to which Aur replied that [It might be worth a try.] [Well this is not bad, I guess.] [Whats with that half-assed answer, say it with more confidence!]

Even though it is embarrassing, this position was rather comfy, Melizand thought. The feeling of Aurs strong muscles on her back gave her an inexplicable feeling of safety. Plus, she quite enjoyed him stroking her hair with the palm of his hand, despite the fact that he didnt know how much force he was supposed to put into it.

She could hear the calming sound of his regular breathing right next to her ear.

It felt awesome!

No no no, now is not the time to think about things like that, she chastised herself.

Where and when did she make such a mistake?! The plan that she was carefully devising broke down in an instant!

Her perfect plan to dress Aur up in kids clothing and make him act like a little girl!!!!

[Is this really how a parent should act? Hey, Melizand!]

Aurs hand stops and his voice gets slightly irritated.

Melizand was relieved, but also a little disappointed.

[I think this is taking us nowhere. I think it would be better if you acted like one of my daughters, then I could really treat you like a father should. At least I think so.] [Wh.WHAT?!!!!!!!!!!!]

She could not believe what she just heard. For a second, she thought that her ears were playing tricks on her. But he was dead serious, and it made her, Melizand, a saint who lived for a thousand years, panic like a little girl.

[Mary, this is not how a young lady of your age should address her parent.]

For all that is holy HE IS SERIOUS!

[..]

Feeling that she could die of shame if someone saw them right now, she muttered after struggling for a good while.

[D, d,d,d, daddy.]

She finally said that. But the truth is, she also did not remember her parents, just like Aur.

[Good. Now is there something you want your father to do?]

He asks, a satisfied smug painted all over his face.

This is just practice. This is just practice. THIS. IS JUST. PRACTICE!

Muttering that in her mind, Melizand opened her mouth again.

[I, I wanna do upsy daisy!] [What?]

She immediately regretted saying those words.

Come to think about it, she was mimicking Maris behavior when she was younger. She often wanted someone to take and raise her high into the air, where she pretended she was flying.

She mimicked her manner of speech and asked for the same, just like a little baby.

[Daddy, do high high!] [Youre a spoiled little girl, arent you?]

He took Melizand onto his hands and raised her high into the air, just like she requested.

[Look out daddy, dont drop me!] [Worry not, my daughter your father has everything under oooops!]

Aurs arms let go of her, making Melizands body literally fly into the air.

But that was only for a moment.

Just when she thought that shes going to hit the ground, she slid right back into Aurs arms. It was due to the invisible slope created by the labyrinth, similar to the one Mari used in the final battle against the God of Fortune.

[Surprised?] [YOU BET I AM! DONT SCARE ME LIKE THAT!]

She waved her hands at the mischievous Demon Lord.

He noticed that her fists were unusually small.

[Huh?] Up until now she was masquerading as Mari for the sake of their little play, but now she returned to her original appearance.

[My original appearance is more suited for a play like that after all.] [You said it.]

Melizand rested her forehead on Aurs chest and closed her eyes.

[I knew it.]

She whispered as she felt that her entire face was burning with shame. It was a good thing that Aur was unable to see it right now.

[Well, what do you want to do now?] [.. More. Lets stay like that for just a little bit more.]

Honoring her request, the two of them shared a quiet and peaceful moment together.

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